orchestra

We're heading quickly towards our final concerts of the year! Perhaps you and your parents would enjoy this article about how your violins get made and repaired, from one of the shops from which our students rent instruments:

Seman Violins 

This Saturday, many students from the Lincoln Hall orchestras played at the IGSMA Solo & Ensemble Contest, showing off their skills as soloists and as members of small ensembles.

Small Ensemble Division II ratings were achieved by:

Nicole S, Ricki E, Dana D

Lisa R, Sydney B

Sydney B, Julia E

Iman D, Susan K

Julia L, Samina K

Rameel Y, Dennis C

Jennifer C, Jeffrey C

Sebastian A, Andy T, Brendon D, Justin A

Soloist Division II were achieved by:

Carlee L

Dana D

Nicholas I

Katie B

Ricki E

Kimberly L

Christina B

Small Ensemble Division I ratings were achieved by:

Carlee L, Chrysanthe A

Andy L, Lucas C

Dana D, Thomas C

Chima M, Karen L

I am happy to announce that the date for the postponed 4th & 5th Grade Orchestra Concert, originally scheduled for last night, will now be on Tuesday, February 12th, at 7:30 PM.

Hopefully, the weather will cooperate with us this time!

Due to inclement weather, Tuesday night's concert featuring the 4th, 5th, and chamber orchestras has been postponed to a later date, which has yet to be determined.

It is supposed to be really cold tonight. Be safe!

-Mr. Jones 

Students have chosen their solos and ensembles and are well on their way to successful performances!

The Illinois Grade School Music Association Solo & Ensemble contest is a great way to motivate students, encouraging self-learning, and inspiring confidence. The competition is not against any other student or group of students. It is based solely on the student's desire and ability to better themselves! 

Rehearsals for small ensembles have already begun during the school day. Soloists begin practicing with their accompanists next week (see their orchestra folder for complete schedule).

On February 13th, these students will play for their EA classes during school, and participate in a Sneak Preview Night that evening. Then, they will perform on Saturday, February 16th for the IGSMA Contest!

The Concert Orchestra will be performing alongside the concert band at our annual Holiday concert on Monday, December 17th at 7:30 PM. Come hear favorites both old and new!

Students should arrive in concert dress by 6:45 PM.

On the morning of Friday, December 21st, the Concert Orchestra and Band will be joined by the Lincoln Hall Chorale in an encore performance for all three schools!

That afternoon, the 4th Grade Beginning Orchestra and the 5th Grade Intermediate Orchestra will play a selection of holiday songs for Rutledge Hall at the annual sing-along. This is the Beginning Orchestra's premiere performance!

A group of orchestra students will play some festive holiday music at December 4th's School Board Meeting. These performers include Ricki E, Esther Y, Paula S, Chrysanthe A, Monica G, Wendy G, Ben B, Akram K, Katie B, Alice L, Susan K, Julia E, and Sydney B.

Remember that the Holiday Band & Orchestra Concert has been moved to Monday, December 17th at 7:30 PM!!

Beginning Orchestra has begun using their bows! I invite parents to have your students teach you how to hold a bow correctly! This is a great way to get involved in your student's music-making and for them to show you how excited they are about what they are learning.

Intermediate Orchestra has been learning new notes and should be dazzling you with their newest songs!

Concert Orchestra is gearing up for our November 13th Multicultural Concert, playing some challenging and fun music from around the world. I am also excited to introduce them to Scorch, a computer program that allows the students to practice with a recorded orchestra. This lets students hear how their part fits in with the rest of the orchestra and is a great practice tool. For more about Scorch, see the handout I sent home with each student.

A big congratulations to Aaron R, Paula S, and Esther Y for auditioning and being accepted to the Illinois Music Educators Association District VII Honors Orchestra! These students faced competition from hundreds of other students from dozens of schools.

On November 3rd, these students will represent Lincoln Hall at the District VII Festival at Maine West High School. This is an all-day event culminating in a 3:00 concert with the Honors Band and Honors Choir. Everyone is welcome to attend the concert (there is a small fee).

Congratulations again!!